Chapter 10: Pancakes
1209 Words
The aroma of pancakes floating through the room awoke Hyacinth. She remembered what had happened the day before as she opened her eyes. She sat up, took the covers off her leg, and examined the cut. White visible lines of four gashes on her legs, which were not unpleasant to touch. Her delicate white complexion compliments the wound, making it unnoticeable from a distance. The sound of a pan crashing to the ground jolted her out of her stupor.
She decided to go downstairs and see what was going on. She walked carefully into the kitchen, watching her mate, who was holding a spatula in his left hand and pouring a pancake mix with his right. She looked over the counter and discovered three plates. One dish featured two nicely formed pancakes, while the remainder of the plate was filled with crumbled pancakes. He grumbled as he tried to flip another pancake that wouldn't maintain its form. She walked carefully to the counter, took a piece of the torn pancakes, and ate it.
"I think this is more than enough for the both of us.", Hyacinth spoke. Demetrius was startled by her voice and hit his head on the cupboard above the stove.
"I wanted you to have the perfect ones," he remarked as he faced and observed Hyacinth, who was picking another slice of the broken pancakes.
"I don't have to. I prefer the torn-out pancakes. They're not perfect like me," Hyacinth said as she reached for butter and maple syrup from the refrigerator.
"You are perfect," Demetrius muttered, which Hyacinth disregarded as she blushed. As Hyacinth brought the butter and maple syrup, Demetrius switched off the burner and sat by the counter.
"Are you feeling better?" Demetrius said, his voice concerned.
"Yes. No pain. Thank you," Hyacinth said.
"I'm sorry for how I acted yesterday; I was furious and upset at the prospect of losing you; if I had been a second late, you might have been-," Demetrius apologized, but he couldn't finish his sentence.
"But you were there, and you saved me," Hyacinth murmured, clutching Demetrius' fisted hand on the counter. Demetrius relaxed his grip on Hyacinth's hand and twisted it to grasp hers.
Hyacinth then realized they hadn't made an introduction. She made the decision to go first. "My name is Hyacinth."
"I'm Demetrius, Alpha of the Woodgrip pack," Demetrius said, smiling at his mate as he practiced repeating her name in his voice.
Hyacinth's eyes widen in surprise as she realizes she is an Alpha's mate. This would indicate that she is a Luna. She fantasized about becoming a mate of a lesser rank in the pack, but being an Alpha's mate was beyond her comprehension. She'll have to train for the Luna slot in the selection because she can't be part of the pack placement selection because she's now directly a member of the Woodgrip pack.
The selection is used to maintain the packs balanced and sturdy. This was put in place to prevent wars from breaking out again, as they had in the past. When freshly mated wolves are discovered, the selection will determine which pack the couple will be assigned to. This is done through battling to determine their strength as well as their abilities. Alphas and Betas are the only exceptions. In the past, Luna's were used to bring an Alpha down. They were kidn*pped or used for ransom or blackmailing. When the mates of Alpha and Beta are discovered, they will be subjected to a different type of selection. It will be a test to determine if the Luna is capable of supporting their Alpha. If you fail the training, you'll have to go through it all over again until you're powerful enough to be a Luna of a pack.
Hyacinth swallowed hard as she gazed off into the horizon, anticipating the approaching selection in two days. The selection came after the heat week. "You'll be OK," Demetrius said as he brushed his hand over her knuckles, assuaging her mate's concern. She nodded, recalling the training sessions she'd been having with Aunt Talina. She will undoubtedly be prepared.
The phone rang as she was thinking about Talina, and she went to pick it up. "I'm so sorry I wasn't able to call," Talina said as she pressed the phone to her ear. "Are you okay? How are you feeling? I and your Uncle are on our way home since most of the men have returned to the packhouse."
"I'm fine Talina.", Hyacinth responded to calm her Aunt down.
"That's fantastic," Talina remarked and continually said angrily, "but where the hell is your mate? What's taking him so long? It'll be the seventh day and he still hasn't come." Hyacinth looked at Demetrius, who was listening in on the talk, and he looked guilty for being late once more.
"Actually, I was attacked last night and-," she began, but the phone interrupted before she could finish. Hyacinth slapped herself on the mouth for saying anything that would make Talina nervous.
"They probably already left their car in the middle of the road and running here," Hyacinth muttered sheepishly as she turned around to face her mate.
As he stood up and took the empty dishes from the counter, Demetrius replied, "That's alright. It's also better you start packing." He turned away from Hyacinth and went to work on the dishes. His olive skin contrasts sharply with her pure white complexion. Hyacinth was mesmerized for a minute by his olive complexion as she watched his back muscles tense as he moved.
As he washed the dishes, Demetrius replied, "You'll drill holes in my back, Sweetheart."
Hyacinth colored with shame as he dashed to the stairwell, not forgetting to cast another sidelong glance on his body.
'Yummy,' Ashana commented on the side.
'Do you have to comment in every embarrassing moment in my life?', Hyacinth irritatedly questioned her wolf. As she stepped on the 3rd step of the stairs the main door busted open. Hycinth shrieked and covered her face as woods splint spread all over. Demetrius hurried to her and clutched her to his chest, using his body as a barrier as the main entrance burst open.
The two wolves glanced about furiously and hissed at Demetrius. Hyacinth peered over his shoulder but he was too tall, so she chose to peep under his armpit instead.
"You're here," she said joyfully as she peered under his armpit.
"Why are you pleased being head locked?!," Talina exclaimed as she transformed back to her human form.
Jerrico transformed after that, but he realized he was Hyacinth's mate and grabbed Talina by the arm to prevent her from approaching them. Demetrius released Hyacinth from his tight embrace and crossed his arms behind his back to demonstrate that he was not a danger.
"This is my mate," Hyacinth remarked, her gaze falling on Demetrius' solemn expression. Jerrico bent his head and said, "Alpha Demetrius, it's good to see you." Jerrico is a warrior, thus he must be familiar with the Alphas of many packs. Talina regained her composure and greeted Demetrius.
Talina grabbed Hyacinth and they went to her room to assist her pack her belongings as Hyacinth narrated what had transpired the night before.
- Writer
